Why I'm Running for CUSD Board of Trustees

By Gary Pritchard

Weathering the Storm Until Fall

The main factor in making South Orange County our home was the quality schools. Our daughter loved her pre-school and we wanted her to do well in her new elementary school. This year our daughter completed First Grade and because of her teacher's guidance and wisdom she has made great strides. For our family, teachers are key to education.

As a dad, homeowner, and taxpayer, I am troubled how money has been taken away from my daughter's classroom to be spent on attorney fees and questionable settlements. Over the last year, it seems like our Trustees have only served to create more chaos in our schools. With parents losing their jobs and homes, our children don't need anymore disorder in their lives.

I believe we can weather this storm but need Trustees who can see beyond the squall. We need Trustees who are willing to roll out a long-term plan that would marshal a stronger partnership between parents and board. We don't need myopic bureaucrats with short-term borrowing schemes in charge of our children's education. Running the district on our reserves temporarily fixes some of the mess until the November election but it does not lay out a plan of action going forward.

Our district desperately needs to find it's way past Sacramento budgeting schemes with a long-term plan that reflects the consensus of not only board members but also the community. At bottom, this plan must focus on what our students need to reach their highest potential.

I believe a plan of this sort begins with an open dialog between parents, community members, and a board open to new ideas. Unfortunately at this point, our Trustees have build a wall between the community and themselves. Any ideas they may have will irrevocably be met with suspicion.

After much discussion with family and friends, I have decided to run for school board. As a parent, I want to see our Trustees become advocates on behalf of students and educational programs. As a taxpayer, I want to know that they are working with city council members, state legislators, and congressional representatives to keep our tax dollars in our classrooms. As a homeowner in the district, I want them to defend public schools whenever they are under attack.

This is why I am running for CUSD board.